help! the past two months, our wireless internet account has been hijacked and we're stuck paying the bill, whick is almost DOUBLE of what it's supposed to be! we have a password-protected broadband router at home, but there are apparently apps circulating which can easily crack your code and give hackers free access to your account - i feel so violated :(

besides changing the password again tonight, what else can we do so this doesn't happen again? if they broke into our account once, they can do it again right? help!

jiorji

September 29th, 2006 11:14 AM

do you not have an internet protection anti virus??
Norton internet protection works wonders.it's anti hacking an anti popups and anti viruses. Mine has blocked many attacks

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 11:17 AM

that is not the problem... someone is using our internet account to download huge files (41 gigs in a month!!) and we're paying for it :mad: so we'll change the password every week and shut the router off except when we're online, that should slow them down... and hubby is looking into an app that shows WHO is logged onto your account and WHEN, so if anybody else logs on, we'll know :evil:

jawert1

September 29th, 2006 11:19 AM

Make sure that you've got 2 settings at the ready on your router:

1. WEP or WPA passkeys/phrases @ 128 encryption
***NOTE: Write this down on a piece of paper before you click ok to set it, once set, if you haven't written it down, you will not be able to log into the router, and will do the hard reset song and dance in a crabby 2 step :) (at least, that's what I do)

You'll need to go into your wireless/network interface in Windows to enter in your WEP/WPA key when you set it, once done, you'll be able to web again just fine.

2. Your router interface will have a WL setup (at least Netgear does), in which you can make an allow list, based on your computers MAC address. You can find your computers MAC address by going to Start --> RUN --> CMD. Once the command prompt pops up, type in ipconfig and it'll list it below.

If you'd like, post your router make/model and I can PM you the doc we use to walk folks through troubleshooting, complete with screenshots :)

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 11:32 AM

thank you!!!! :thumbs up

I'll get this info to hubby and when we're home tonight, run through the steps you gave... it's a linksys wireless router (99% sure, from memory, LOL! bought last autumn, is this enough info or do the models change frequently?...). gawd, what a stupid mess... sigh. thank goodness for your help!! :grouphug:

edit: just sent this info to hubby and he said "wow that is brilliant!!" so it should stop the hackers... big sigh of relief :-)

jawert1

September 29th, 2006 11:44 AM

All I need to know is that it's a recent Linksys, doc w/ screenies coming your way :) And yes, this is a dual layer of protection, so that any device attempting to connect to your wireless network will need to
a) be approved and have it's MAC address entered by you
b) have the WEP/WPA passkey/phrase you've chosen in it's network config :)

dtbmnec

September 29th, 2006 11:54 AM

Hmph jawert you beat me to it :p

If you want to get super technical....

Allow only certain MAC addresses on teh router (MAC addresses are TOTALLY unique to each network card...no two alike kinda deal) all you have to do is find the MAC addy of your PCs and allow only access to them :D

Find the MAC on your pcs:

1. Start -> Run
2. Type in "cmd" and hit enter/OK
3. At the little black window type in "ipconfig /all" and hit Enter
4. Find the MAC address of the network adapter (ie. if your PC is connecting wirelessly use the "wireless adapter"...if its on a line use "local area connection")
5. Write it down :D (duh)
6. type in "exit" or hit the red x!
7. Set up your router to allow only certain mac addresses :D
8. save changes and watch him try! lol

That'll block 'em out! lol

If you need more help lemme know :D

Megan

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 12:13 PM

thank you ALL! i printed everything out and first thing tonight, will get this done. AND shut off the router when we're not using it!! :thumbs up

dtbmnec

September 29th, 2006 12:20 PM

[QUOTE=technodoll]thank you ALL! i printed everything out and first thing tonight, will get this done. AND shut off the router when we're not using it!! :thumbs up[/QUOTE]

Or if you're not using the wireless you can disable it through the interface of the router :) That way any PC connected by wire can still surf the net but not the hacker :D (And if the hacker is in your house you have more than internet to worry about :p)

Megan

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 12:25 PM

[QUOTE]Or if you're not using the wireless you can disable it through the interface of the router That way any PC connected by wire can still surf the net but not the hacker[/QUOTE]

we're only two in the house, each with our own laptop... got wireless cuz cables are just not practical with the setup we have at home (laptops far from the modem) . so that,s not an option, right? :confused:

Puppyluv

September 29th, 2006 12:54 PM

A little off topic, but megan, do you know how to find your MAC address on an apple?

dtbmnec

September 29th, 2006 01:39 PM

[QUOTE=Puppyluv]A little off topic, but megan, do you know how to find your MAC address on an apple?[/QUOTE]

[B]Macintosh OS (Pre OS X): [/B]
Once you have made sure your Apple computer is running system 7.6.1 or higher, and has Open Transport installed follow the instructions below to find the MAC address of your computer:

Click the Apple Menu.
Click on "Control Panels" to open your control panels folder.
Open the "TCP/IP" control panel
Go to the Edit Menu
Click on User Mode
Change the mode to "Advanced" and click "OK".
Click on the "Info" button
The Hardware address is your MAC address

[B]Macintosh (OS X):[/B]
If your computer is running OS X, it is best to have it upgraded to at least 10.1

From the dock, select "System Preferences".
Select the "Network" Pane
With the TCP/IP tab selected, the number next to Ethernet Address is you MAC address.

MAC addresses look like XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX. :D

I hope that helps (I had to get it off a website since I didn't know since I haven't used Apple computers in forever) :)

I'm not sure of which Operating system you were using (OS) so I copied in both instructions.

Megan

dtbmnec

September 29th, 2006 01:40 PM

[QUOTE=technodoll]we're only two in the house, each with our own laptop... got wireless cuz cables are just not practical with the setup we have at home (laptops far from the modem) . so that,s not an option, right? :confused:[/QUOTE]

Ahhh...no that isn't...ummm but you can still do the MAC address stuff though without any issues...just remember that if you get a new computer or you need to replace your network card in the computers that you have to change out the MAC address in the settings :)

Megan

P.S. Whoda thunk that I would be already using the wonderful wonderful course information I'm currently learning already! :) Maybe school is good for something lol!

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 01:51 PM

Megan, I would pay to get amazing tech help like you just provided!!! will you accept a virtual cupcake? :D

In case you don't know how to connect to your Linksys router, go to address [b]192.168.1.1[/b] via web browser at home, and the default login/pass should be [b]admin[/b]/[b]admin[/b], which I suggest you change, otherwise and your WEP settings will be useless because your neighbour will be able to login and change things back...or worse...block YOU from your own connection.

I [b]HAVE[/b] gone into my neighbour's router before just to see what ports he has forwarded etc. but if I wanted to, I could do many nasty things :evil:
Fortunately, I have nice neighbours :angel:

Just a little off topic technodoll, but how come your wireless costs increase with higher download/upload? It's not unlimited?

Puppyluv

September 29th, 2006 01:56 PM

Thanks Megan, you're a gem! I feel kind of bad, because I could have looked it up on the net... but instead I take the lazy way and ask:o

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 01:57 PM

holy crap are you serious??! man! i have sooo much to learn... :eek:

jawert1

September 29th, 2006 01:58 PM

[QUOTE=dtbmnec]Hmph jawert you beat me to it :p

If you want to get super technical....

Allow only certain MAC addresses on teh router (MAC addresses are TOTALLY unique to each network card...no two alike kinda deal) all you have to do is find the MAC addy of your PCs and allow only access to them :D[/QUOTE]

hehe actually, that was step 2 in my original post :)

good that we've got computer saavy folks here though!

dtbmnec

September 29th, 2006 02:45 PM

Thanks for the cupcakes :D

No worries puppyluv...probably should know that from now on anyway :D After all more and more people are buying Apples

Oh yeah definately change the password though Im not sure you can change the login on all routers...

Glad to be of service...one of these days I will be paid for this advice :p

Megan

Prin

September 29th, 2006 03:00 PM

[QUOTE=technodoll]help! the past two months, our wireless internet account has been hijacked and we're stuck paying the bill, whick is almost DOUBLE of what it's supposed to be! [/QUOTE]You mean I could have had free high speed all this time? [SIZE="1"]Kidding.[/SIZE]

That must feel so violating. I'm not an internetty person like it seems everybody else is here.. But I hope you get this fixed and your peace of mind back.:(

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 03:29 PM

[QUOTE]That must feel so violating.[/QUOTE]

that's exactly it. people taking your stuff... not enough that my appartment got robbed two years in a row, eh? now this crap! :frustrated: must somehow enable growling big guard dogs as internet security... hmmm.

Prin

September 29th, 2006 03:30 PM

I wondered- if somebody hacks in and surfs kiddie porn or something illegal like that that is heavy monitored by the feds, are you liable? Like do they assume it's you and haul you away?

HunterXHunter

September 29th, 2006 03:34 PM

[QUOTE=Prin]I wondered- if somebody hacks in and surfs kiddie porn or something illegal like that that is heavy monitored by the feds, are you liable? Like do they assume it's you and haul you away?[/QUOTE]

If it is, then I'm home free :thumbs up [SIZE="1"]kidding[/SIZE]

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 03:38 PM

prin that's a very good question, frightening actually. i'm sure it's porn this person has been downloading, what else could it be? IT'S GOING TO STOP TONIGHT. oh my freaking god. :eek:

Prin

September 29th, 2006 03:38 PM

[QUOTE=HunterXHunter]If it is, then I'm home free :thumbs up [SIZE="1"]kidding[/SIZE][/QUOTE]
not anymore... I think this counts as a full confession. :evil:

Sorry for scaring you techno.:o

Puppyluv

September 29th, 2006 03:41 PM

With bandwidths that big, it could be movies-not porn, but legit movies, just before they're released. Doesn't make it any better, but at least you don't have to be haunted with the thought of people using your server to dl porn.

technodoll

September 29th, 2006 03:43 PM

good lord that would be the icing on the cake, wouldn't it? :eek: :( :sad: :mad:

dtbmnec

September 30th, 2006 01:36 AM

I think for the most part what they'll do is take a look through your PC to see if there's anything on there that's illegal and see what websites you've been surfing and then make a decision based on that. If someone else is using your internet connection to download porn or illegal movies and they get that its from YOU unless YOU have the same information on your PC (which you wouldn't if you didn't download the porn/movies) then you're ok. They'd probably tell you to secure your connection better.

They can also check IP Addresses and MAC addresses (remember that one is totally unique!) so if they don't match up then YOU probably aren't liable (especially since you took steps to secure your connection that any home user would); if they did "bust you" it'd be a fine for the most part (I would think). I should look that up....

P.S. Tried to find something online about this but couldn't...it seems that the government is way behind on the times lol...general consensus is basically that YOU (technodoll) wouldn't be liable for anything because you DID do everything you could (actually compared to the average person you went above and beyond) and it still got hacked...I suppose its similar to breaking and entering and having the bad guys leave behind something illegal in your house. You locked the doors, made sure the windows were closed, you set the alarm but they still broke in and decided to use your TV to watch kiddie porn or something. Of course in that case you can't actually prove you didn't own the porn in the first place but there's enough reasonable doubt to ensure you're ok, while with a PC there are many ways to tell what you've downloaded and what was on your hard drive.

Random fact: When you delete files the first letter of the filename is actually the only thing that's changed and its a character that allows the computer to overwrite the area which that file took up. So I have a file name "Megan.doc" and I've deleted it. It now becomes "@egan.doc" (I can't remember the character..could be a different one) the @ in the beginning tells the computer that the space that its taking up can be overwritten with something else (say a computer game or something). So if you have a recovery program (which the Feds would) they'll change the @ back to an M and look at the file :). It also works chronologically so if you deleted something today and deleted something a week from now, "today's" deleted file would be overwritten first. There are also programs that will destroy any record of the file (something like reformatting) but you have to pay BIGGGGG bucks for that :).

Since this guy's a "joe blo" with a bit more knowledge than the average guy (he DID manage to hack in you know) he probably doesn't have a program to "reformat" the old files away so if he did download something horrible then the Feds would be able to find it. :) He's probably using a packet capture to figure out your WEP keys which is why he's continuing to hack in. You can get those programs for free though the fact that he's able to do it so fast means he must have it on continuously to monitor your changes. That part is not so good...you can't get around the MAC Address thing though not unless he already has access to your network AND has the password to get into the router.

jesse's mommy

September 30th, 2006 09:12 AM

I'm sort of embarrassed to be admitting this, but we "borrowed" the wireless link to someone in our neighborhood. You see, the cable company came out and cut off the wrong neighbors cable modem. They meant to cut off the next door neighbors because they were moving and went to our box instead -- Stupid people! So they apologized for the mistake, but couldn't get anyone out here for two days. Well, I had two EXTREMELY IMPORTANT emails I had to get out to people I work with, but had no way of doing it since we had no internet here. So, we thought, well let's drive over to Starbucks, but as we were driving honey said, go this way and drive slow (he's a network administrator for a big company), so I did and he said STOP! And he sent my emails out. I know it was wrong and I felt bad, but I was so happy that we were able to get my stuff out.

Anyway, my point is, it's actually really easy to get into wireless accounts if you haven't done the stuff Jawert said above. We literally did it by sitting on the road in front of the neighbors house. I know no one can get into mine because honey is a "securities expert" with this stuff. His company is actually involved in designing things for the military.

As for you being accountable, dtbmnec is right, the feds would look at the computer not the connection so you should be fine. In regards to deleting files, there are ways to get around it without all that expensive stuff that would make it so the files aren't recoverable.

jawert1

September 30th, 2006 09:41 AM

hahahah Jesse's Mommy, I've done the same thing before in a pinch (happened to be outside my dr's office waiting for my appointment time). It's why I advocate securing a network as tightly as possible, because even though folks like us would NEVER think of doing something like that for nefarious purposes, there are definitely others that would. Work has an entire lab (which now all think TD's Beanies are just the most adorable critters ever!) devoted to household network security, since it's become a far bigger threat than anticipated. I shudder to think what the next phase will be :/